TTC Story: 12 Years of Experience and Persistence Part I

No matter how many doctors you see and how many tests you do, sometimes, your infertility just cannot be explained by any scientific data. In this situation, other people’s experience and persistence are the only two things you can reply on. Eva’s World is thrilled to invite Megan from Infertile Myrtle to share her Trying to Conceive story with anyone who is also suffering from infertility issue. During over 12 years of TTC time, she and her partner, Kyle, have tried many remedies and medical methods to get pregnant. Their experience is going to be your best learning resource. Let’s check out her story now.

Can you briefly tell us about your TTC journey so far?

We have been TTC for over 12 years. At the beginning, I just tracked my cycles with Fertility Friend and taking my basal body temp (BBT). After pregnancy wasn't happening we had my husband do a semen analysis and I went on Clomid for 7 cycles (unmonitored - not recommended!). At about the 5-year mark of TTC, we ventured into IUI with Clomid and did 3 cycles. We've had quite the rollercoaster in life the last several years so we haven't done anything else. My husband is in college right now so once he's graduated we'll look into other options such as adoption, IVF, etc.

In your blog, you’ve mentioned that acupuncture and herbs are useful. Can you share your experience on using them for infertility issue? What are the pros and cons?

I had acupuncture recommended to me by someone that had had trouble conceiving and then conceived. I had never thought about acupuncture but I was willing to try anything. I don't remember when I did acupuncture, but I feel like it was around the same time that I was taking Clomid - so around year 2-3 of TTC. My acupuncturist knew that she was trying to aid in my getting pregnant, so I would see her a couple of times a month and sometimes a couple of times a week. She would do a treatment before ovulation and after ovulation as well as before I got my period. The Pros of acupuncture are that it helped me to relax. But obviously we know that relaxing does NOT equal pregnancy! However, being that I was stressed about TTC and life in general, it was beneficial. Also I have always had horrible, debilitating cramps along with migraines occasionally. My acupuncturist was able to "spot treat" these ailments. It definitely helped these symptoms but did not cure what was going on. The Cons of acupuncture is that you need to do it regularly, sometimes 2-3 times a week, to get the results that you're looking for and it becomes very expensive. Most insurance companies will only cover 12 visits per year and that can be used up in a blink of an eye, and is not enough to help or heal what you're seeing an acupuncturist for to begin with. The herbs I took were put together especially for me. I can't even begin to tell you what any of them were, but I know that these "potions" were designed to help all the different things I was dealing with: infertility, cramps, migraines, etc. I know that she tried to make them as palatable as possible, but honestly, they were disgusting! I had to make the herbs into a tea and then guzzle it in order to get it down. The only way I can really describe them is that it was like drinking dirt. HOWEVER, I believe that they definitely helped with the treatments. Acupuncture isn't for everyone, and it definitely doesn't guarantee pregnancy. It didn't work for me, but I know that it can help others.

During these years of trying to conceive, you must have done many researches. Could you share some books, apps, and resources that you think are the most useful?

Yes, I have done a lot of research! There is SO MUCH information out there that you really need to find what is right for you. You can gather all the information that you can get your hands on. It can be overwhelming! But ultimately, you're going to have to do what is the right thing for you individually and as a couple. The app I use is Fertility Friend. I used to go to the chat rooms and compare charts, etc., but there are some very obsessive people on those boards that can just make a person start to feel crazy if they don't already. {laughing} Over the years, I just use Fertility Friend to chart my own cycles and I very rarely, if at all, check out the charts and boards. And when I say that I chart my cycles, I only chart when we have sex and my period. I can't even remember the last time I took my temperature (BBT). A few websitesthat have good information and are good resources are:

A book that I used at the beginning and have referenced over time is Taking Charge of Your Fertility. It's a good starting point for those that have never really figured out the inner workings of your body along with just some really good information. I'm really good at buying books :)...and then not reading them, or finish reading them. Some of those that fall into this category are:

About Megan

Megan and Kyle are in their 30's and have been married for over a decade. They have been trying, unsuccessfully, to have a baby for most of their marriage. They desperately desire to be parents, but at this time are unable to proceed with treatments due to Kyle being in college. They are weighing their options on how to expand their family in the next couple of years, but do not know what is going to be the best fit for them at this time. Infertility is a part of them, but it does not define them.

We'd like to hear your joy, sadness, experience and tips. Share your TTC story with us to help more people face infertility issue. stefanie [at] hilinlife.com